Aware

This Great Unknowing: Last Poems (1998)

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When I found the doorI found the vine leavesspeaking among themselves in abundantwhispers.My presence made themhush their green breath,embarrassed, the wayhumans stand up, buttoning their jackets,acting as if they were leaving anyway, as ifthe conversation had endedjust before you arrived.I likedthe glimpse I had, though,of their obscuregestures. I liked the soundof such private voices. Next timeI’ll move like cautious sunlight, openthe door by fractions, eavesdroppeacefully.